"Mellen's the most splendid fellow in the world," pursued he; "and you couldn't well be sad with that little darling about you."
Elizabeth took up her silks again.
"Dismiss all such thoughts from your mind, Tom."
"I shall be only too glad. But tell me once more that I am an over-anxious busybody, minding everybody's concerns but my own. You see, Bessie, I love you like a sister, and will stand by you, by Jupiter, always. But these stupid ideas of mine, there's no foundation for them?"
"How could there be?"
"That's what I say to myself always," cried Tom. "Well, dear, I won't think such nonsense again."
"Do not, I beg; and never mention it to anybody."
"There's no danger of that," said Tom. "But you know, if you should get unhappy or in trouble, there is always one old chap you could lean on."
"I believe that, Tom; I do indeed."
"And you would come to me, Bessie?"